Efeito da somatotropina bovina recombinante (rbST) na produção in vivo e na maturação in vitro de oócitos bovinos da raça Sindi / Effect of recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST) on the in vivo production and in vitro maturation of bovine oocytes of the Sindi breed

A fim de avaliar o efeito de diferentes doses da rbST sobre a dinâmica folicular, a produção e a maturação in vitro de oócitos, 20 vacas Sindi, divididas em três grupos, receberam um dispositivo de progesterona intravaginal, estradiol e PGF2α, além de 2mL de solução salina (grupo controle), 250 (grupo rbST 250) ou 500mg de rbST (grupo rbST 500). Cinco dias depois, realizou-se a ovum pick up, e os complexos cumulus-oócitos (CCOs) recuperados foram selecionados, classificados e maturados in vitro. Os dados de contagem foram comparados pelo procedimento glht (General Linear Hypothesis Test), e os dados em porcentagem foram submetidos ao qui-quadrado, no programa estatístico R, onde as diferenças foram consideradas significativas quando P<0,05. Não houve diferença (P>0,05) entre os grupos quanto à quantidade de folículos e à taxa de maturação. Os grupos rbST 250 e rbST 500 foram significativamente superiores (P<0,05) ao grupo controle em relação ao número de folículos grandes (0,42±0,20 vs. 0). O grupo rbST 500 apresentou maior (P<0,05) porcentagem de oócitos viáveis (91,52%) do que os grupos controle (67,85%) e rbST 250 (53,33%). A rbST aumenta o número de folículos grandes, e 500mg de rbST aumentam a porcentagem de oócitos viáveis em vacas Sindi.(AU)

In order to evaluate the effect of different doses of rbST on the follicular dynamics, production, and in vitro maturation of oocytes, 20 Sindhi cows were divided into three groups, receiving an intravaginal progesterone device, estradiol and PGF2α, and 2mL of solution saline (Control Group), 250 (rbST 250 Group) or 500mg rbST (rbST 500 Group). Five days later, the ovum pick up was performed, and the cumulus-oocyte (CCO) complexes recovered were selected, classified, and matured in vitro. The counting data were compared by the glht (General Linear Hypothesis Test) procedure, and the percentage data were submitted to Qui- square, in the statistical program R, where differences were considered significant when P< 0.05. There was no difference (P> 0.05) between the groups regarding follicle quantity and maturation rate. The rbST 250 and rbST 500 groups were significantly higher (P< 0.05) than the Control group in relation to the number of large follicles (0.42±0.20 versus 0). The rbST 500 group presented higher (P< 0.05) percentage of viable oocytes (91.52%) than the Control (67.85%) and rbST 250 (53.33%) groups. rbST increases the number of large follicles and 500mg rbST increases the percentage of viable oocytes in Sindhi cows.(AU)

Influência do parasitismo intestinal sobre os parâmetros hematológicos e de líquido peritoneal em equinos de tração / Influence of intestinal parasitism on peritoneal fluid and hematological parameters in horses used for traction

O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a influência do parasitismo intestinal crônico sobre parâmetros hematológicos e de líquido peritoneal por meio da comparação dessas características em equinos naturalmente parasitados e após administração de anti-helmíntico. Utilizaram-se 21 cavalos de tração urbana, entre dois e 19 anos, sem raça definida e com resultado de exame parasitológico superior a 300 ovos por grama de fezes. Foi realizada avaliação física e coleta de fezes, de líquido peritoneal e de sangue em dois momentos do experimento (D0 e D15), sendo efetuado tratamento antiparasitário no D0. No fluido peritoneal foram avaliadas características físicas, bioquímicas, bem como contagem de células nucleadas (CTCN) e diferenciação celular. No sangue foram determinados valores eritrocitários, leucocitários, proteínas plasmáticas totais, glicose e fibrinogênio plasmáticos, além de fosfatase alcalina (FA) sérica. A análise dos parâmetros avaliados não demonstrou diferença significativa entre animais parasitados e após administração de anti-helmíntico, exceto para valores de CTCN, contagem de neutrófilos segmentados e grau de turbidez do líquido peritoneal. As médias se mantiveram dentro dos intervalos de referência, com exceção da CTCN do líquido peritoneal no D0. No líquido peritoneal, houve predomínio de neutrófilos segmentados, seguidos por macrófagos, linfócitos e eosinófilos em ambos os momentos de avaliação. Observaram-se tendência do quadro eritrocitário em manter-se próximo aos limites inferiores e leve leucocitose no D0. A infecção parasitária nos animais estudados foi predominantemente moderada, o que oferece poucos riscos clínicos. Nessas condições, pode-se afirmar que a CTCN, a contagem absoluta de neutrófilos segmentados e o grau de turbidez do líquido peritoneal são influenciados e podem ser considerados ferramentas diagnósticas e prognósticas úteis nas parasitoses intestinais crônicas.(AU)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of chronic intestinal parasitism on hematological parameters and peritoneal fluid. It was done by comparing these features in horses used for traction naturally parasitized and after the administration of anthelmintic. Twenty-one horses, between two and nineteen years of age, of mixed breed and with results of parasitological examination of more than 300 eggs per gram of feces were studied. Physical assessment and samples of feces were conducted, as well as blood and peritoneal fluid in the two phases of the experiment (D0 and D15). Antiparasitic treatment in D0 has also been done. The peritoneal fluid was evaluated for physical and biochemical features, and also total count of nucleated cells (TCNC) and cell differentiation. The blood was determined for erythrocyte, leukocyte, plasma total protein, glucose and plasma fibrinogen, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels. The analysis of these parameters showed no significant difference between parasitized animals and after administration of anthelmintic except for TCNC values, segmented neutrophil count and degree of turbidity in peritoneal fluid. The averages remained within the reference ranges, except the TCNC in the peritoneal fluid in D0. In the peritoneal fluid there was a predominance of segmented neutrophils, followed by macrophages, lymphocytes and eosinophils in both time points. A trend was observed in erythrocyte frame to keep close to the lower limits and mild leukocytosis in D0. Parasitic infection of the animals studied was predominantly moderate, which offered minimal clinical risks. After that, it can be affirmed that the TCNC, absolute segmented neutrophil count and targeted degree of turbidity in peritoneal fluid are influenced and can be considered useful diagnostic and prognostic tools in chronic intestinal parasitism.(AU)

Ectopia ureteral unilateral congênita em uma cadela Teckel Dachshund com pelagem arlequim: relato de caso / Single congenital ureteral ectopy in a female dog Teckel Dachshund with merle colour pattern: case report

O presente relato apresenta a primeira descrição de ectopia ureteral congênita na raça Teckel Dachshund, diagnosticada em uma cadela com pelagem arlequim. O animal, aos dois meses de idade, apresentava sinais de incontinência urinária e cistite bacteriana, sendo submetido a um plano diagnóstico para confirmação de ureter ectópico. A urografia excretora revelou hidroureter direito com desembocadura caudal ao trígono da bexiga. O exame físico do animal evidenciou ainda hérnia inguinal bilateral, o que reforçou a caracterização da origem congênita das alterações. Aspectos de bem-estar animal são também discutidos.

The present work reports the first description of congenital ureteral ectopy in the canine breed Teckel Dachshund, diagnosed in a female dog with merle colour pattern. The two month old animal, presented with continuous dribbling of urine and bacterial cystitis, was subjected to a diagnostic plan for ectopic ureter. The excretory urography showed a right hidroureter, which had an orifice located caudally to the trigone of the bladder. The animal also presented a bilateral inguinal hernia, which confirmed the case description as a multiple congenital anomaly condition. Animal welfare aspects are also discussed.

Ion fluxes and hematological parameters of two teleosts from the Rio Negro, Amazon, exposed to hypoxia / Fluxos iônicos e parâmetros hematológicos em duas espécies de teleósteos do Rio Negro, Amazônia, expostos à hipoxia

The aim of this study was to describe the effect of hypoxia on whole body ion fluxes and hematological parameters in two Amazonian teleosts: Serrasalmus eigenmanni and Metynnis hypsauchen. The increase of Na+ and Cl- effluxes on M. hypsauchen exposed to hypoxia may be related to an increase of gill ventilation and effective respiratory surface area, to avoid a reduction in the oxygen uptake, and/or with the decrease of pHe, that could inhibit Na+ and Cl- transporters and, therefore, reduce influx of these ions. Effluxes of Na+ and Cl- were lower in hypoxia than in normoxia for S. eigenmanni, possibly because in hypoxia this species would reduce gill ventilation and oxygen uptake, which would lead to a decrease of gill ion efflux and, consequently, reducing ion loss. The increase on hematocrit (Ht) during hypoxia in M. hypsauchen probably was caused by an increase of the red blood cell volume (MCV). For S. eigenmanni the increase on glucose possibly results from the usage of glucose reserve mobilization. Metynnis hypsauchen showed to be more sensitive to hypoxia than Serrasalmus eigenmanni, since the first presented more significant alterations on these osmoregulatory and hematological parameters. Nevertheless, the alterations observed for both species are strategies adopted by fishes to preserve oxygen supply to metabolizing tissues during exposure to hypoxia.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi descrever o efeito da hipoxia no fluxo iônico corporal e nos parâmetros hematológicos em duas espécies de teleósteos da Amazônia: Serrasalmus eigenmanni e Metynnis hypsauchen. O aumento dos efluxos de Na+ e Cl- em M. hypsauchen expostos à hipoxia pode estar relacionado ao aumento da ventilação branquial e da eficiência da área da superfície respiratória, a fim de evitar redução na captação de oxigênio; e/ou com a diminuição do pHe, que pode inibir os transportadores de Na+ e Cl- e, então, reduzir o influxo destes íons. Os efluxos de Na+ e Cl- foram menores em hipoxia do que em normoxia para a espécie S. eigenmanni, possivelmente porque esta espécie em hipoxia poderia reduzir a ventilação branquial e a captação de oxigênio, a qual levaria a uma diminuição do efluxo branquial de íons e, conseqüentemente, à redução da perda de íons. O aumento do hematócrito (Ht) durante hipoxia em M. hypsauchen provavelmente foi causado pelo aumento do volume das células vermelhas do sangue (MCV). Para a espécie S. eigenmanni, o aumento da glicose possivelmente foi resultado do uso da mobilização da reserva de glicose. A espécie Metynnis hypsauchen mostrou ser mais sensível à hipoxia do que a espécie Serrasalmus eigenmanni, uma vez que a primeira espécie apresentou mais alterações significativas em seus parâmetros osmorregulatórios e hematológicos. Contudo, as alterações observadas em ambas as espécies são estratégias adotadas pelos peixes a fim de preservar o suprimento de oxigênio para metabolização nos tecidos durante exposição à hipoxia.

Specialized metabolism and biochemical suppression during aestivation of the extant South American lungfish -- Lepidosiren paradoxa

Lepidosiren paradoxa (pirambóia) is the single representative of Dipnoan (lungfish) in South America. This species is considered a living fossil, in spite of some reports describing this fish as having a very specialized life style. It aestivates during the dry season, and has developed metabolic adaptations to cope with both flooding and drought. The literature describing its tissue ultra-structure shows high glycogen stored in the muscle, suggesting a strong dependence on anaerobic glycolysis. The present paper reports tissue enzyme levels of LDH, MDH, and CS, and isozymic tissue distribution of LDH, MDH, ADH, PGI, SOD, and PGM of 7 aestivating specimens from Lago do Canteiro in the Amazonas River. Animals were caught while burrowed in mud during the aestivation period. Our findings reveal high anaerobic capacity of both skeletal and heart muscles, even during the aestivation period, when enzymes showed suppressed levels compared to those of non-aestivating animals (data from the literature). Isozymic patterns suggest loss of duplicate condition in most analyzed loci, a characteristic that occurs mainly in higher vertebrate categories. These data indicate that, compared to the fish group, lungfish may be considered advanced, despite retaining primitive morphological characters

Biochemical adjustments to hypoxia by Amazon cichlids

The isozyme distribution of cichlid lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is related to species environmental preferences. Cichlasoma amazonarum. occurs in different environments and presents LDH tissue distribution patterns that correlate with oxygen tension at the capture location. Cichlasoma amazonarum was exposed to long term severe hypoxia (51 days at 36.4 +/- 5.9 mmHg), tissue LDH isozyme distribution was analyzed by electrophoresis and enzyme activities were measured by monitoring the oxidation of NADH as pyruvate was reduced to lactate. The exposure of Cichlasoma amazonarum to long-term severe hypoxia resulted in changes in the tissue distribution of LDH isozymes. The major changes in response to hypoxia occurred in heart, liver and brain: isozyme A4 was activated in heart and brain, whereas isozyme B4 was activated in liver. The most significant quantitative change occurred in brain LDH of hypoxia-exposed animals which adopted muscle type kinetics, reflecting a new LDH isozyme distribution. LDH activity was significantly reduced (P<0.05) in animals exposed to hypoxia (N = 8), suggesting an overall LDH suppression. Pyruvate inhibition decreased in all hypoxia-exposed tissues. Thus, the ability of Cichlasoma amazonarum to regulate LDH tissue expression according to oxygen availability allows the animal to survive chronic hypoxic environments. This phenotypic plasticity may occur in other hypoxia-tolerant fish species.